Container with dispensing means for transporting bulk materials

ABSTRACT

A container for transporting bulk materials including a rigid enclosure means, partition means disposed in the rigid enclosure means, and being movable along a length of the rigid enclosure means to provide a variable volume chamber, a flexible enclosure means disposed in the variable volume chamber, the rigid enclosure means having discharge means and the flexible enclosure means having outlet means communicating with the discharge means of the rigid enclosure means.

United States" Patent Inventors Edwin E. Clarke 651 S. 31st St., Allentown, Pa. 18103; Albert J. Florig, 1549 Yost St., Norristown,

Pa. 19401 Appl. No. 794,591 Filed Jan. 28, 1969 Patented May 11, 1971 CONTAINER WITH DISPENSING MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING BULK MATERIALS 32 Claims, 13 Drawing Fi U.S.Cl. 222/95, 222/183 FieldofSearch 214/82;-

lOS/(Inquired); 298/l, 7, 8, 17, 23, 3G l98/(Inquired); 193/6; 302/52; 220/63; 150/5; 222/319, 96, 94, 92, 95, 181, 105,461, 529, 530, 183, 533, 536, 327, 386, 387, 440

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 515 ,552 2/l 894 Phelps 222/5 34 1,235,550 8/1917 Carmody 222/3 87X 2,712,797 7/ 1955 Woehrle et al. 298/ l 7UX 2,764,450 9/ l 956 Rosener 298/7 3,435,990 4/1969 Pike, Jr 222/ 94X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Att0rney-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence ABSTRACT: A container for transporting bulk materials including a rigid enclosure means, partition means disposed in the rigid enclosure means, and being movable along a length of the rigid enclosure means to provide a variable volume chamber, a flexible enclosure means disposed in the variable volume chamber, the rigid enclosure means having discharge means and the flexible enclosure means having outlet means communicating with the discharge means of the rigid enclosure means.

Patntgd May 11, 1971 '7 Sheets-Sheet l gww Eowm E.

BY mason" ATTORNEY 8 Patented May 11, 1971 3,578,213

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 @1111"; a I 1 64 65 e v INVENTOR Eowm E. CLARKE ALBERJT (FF-1.01am

, m it wqfiamwec.

ATTORNEYS Patented May 11,- 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS 8 mm a Ow m m 1 M 2% EA me. ATTORNEYS Patented May 11, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 11, 1971 I 3,578,213 I '7 Sheets- Sheet 7 mvamons Euwm E. CLARKE ALB! a1- 3'. Flame mi iM$Mw ATTORNEYS CONTAINER WITH DISPENSING MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING BULK MATERIALS bulk materials which also may be utilized for transporting cargo other than bulk materials.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a novel container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel container for transporting bulk materials.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel container for transporting bulk materials which may be readily loaded and unloaded.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel container for transporting bulk materials, which provides maximum space utilization.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel container primarily adapted for transporting bulk materials, which further is adapted to be utilized for transporting cargo other than bulk materials.

A further object'of the present invention is to provide a novel container for transporting bulk materials, which provides a variable volume chamber to accommodate bulk materials of different amounts.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a 7 novel container for transporting bulk materials, wherein the container may be tilted to unload the bulk material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel container for transporting bulk materials, which is comparatively simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and economical to maintain.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beoome more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention, having portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the embodiment in the unloading position FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the interior of the I embodiment illustrated in FIGS. I and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1; a

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 3;

, FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 7; and FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer assembly for the lower front end of the flexible liner utilized in the aforementioned embodiment.

Briefly described, the present invention relates to a con tainer for transporting bulk materials, generally comprising an elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open rear end, first guide means disposed along the length of the housing means, a bulkhead unit movable along the first guide means within the housing means to provide a variable volume chamber, the bulkhead unit having a spout mounted thereon for discharging material through the open end of the housing means, second guide means mounted in the housing means, 'a plurality of rigid support means operatively connected to the second guide means for movement along the length thereof, and a flexible liner disposed in the variable volume chamber and connected along the length thereof tothe support means. The flexible liner is connected at the front end thereof to the front end of the housing means and is connected at the rear end thereof to the bulkhead unit whereby the bulkhead unit may be moved longitudinally along the first guide means to vary the volume of the variable volume chamber, and the flexible liner will be extended along the length of the variable volume chamber. The flexible liner further is provided with outlet means communicating with the spout.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention. Generally, the embodiment includes a chassis 10 which may be positioned on an unloading unit 11, a housing unit 12 mounted on the chassis 10, a bulkhead unit 13 mounted for longitudinal movement along the length of the housing unit 12, and a flexible liner 14 mounted within the housing unit. The container is adapted to be towed by a conventionahtractor unit for transporting bulk material between specified tenninals, and further is adapted to be positioned on the unloading unit, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to unload the bulk material from the container. The chassis 10 consists of an elongated frame assembly 15 supported at its rear end on a wheel unit 16 and, when not connected to a tractor unit, is supported at its front end by a pair of conventional support legs 17. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the chassisis adapted to be positioned on a tiltable platform 18 which is pivotally mounted on a horizontal base 19 and tilted by means of a hydraulic cylinder assembly 20.

The housing unit 12 of the container is provided with a bottom wall 21 rigidly secured to the frame assembly 15 of the chassis, sidewalls 22 and 24, a top wall 24, and a front end wall 25 providing an open rear end 26 which may be closed with a conventional door unit 27, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. The top wall 24 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced access openings 28 which are provided with annular mountings 29 secured to the top wall 24 and provided with access doors 30.

The interior of the housing unit 12 is provided with a first set of guide tracks 31 and 32 on which the bulkhead unit 13 is mounted for longitudinal movement along the length of the housing unit, and a second set of guide tracks 33 and 34 on which the flexible liner 14 is supported also for longitudinal movement along the length of the housing unit. As best illustrated in FIG. 4 the guide track 31 is secured to the top wall 24 of the housing unit adjacent the sidewall 22. The guide track 32 also is secured to the top wall 24 and is disposed adjacent the sidewall 24 of the housing unit, so that the guide tracks 31 and 32 are longitudinally disposed and transversely spaced along almost the entire length of the interior of the housing unit. The guide track 33 is mounted on the inner side and coextensively with the guide track 31. Similarly, the guide track 34 is mounted on the inner side and coextensively with the guide track 32 so that the guide tracks 33 and 34 for the flexible liner 14 also are disposed longitudinally and spaced transversely almost entirely the entire length of the interior of the housing unit.

The inner surfaces of the sidewalls 22 and 23 are provided with an upper pair of longitudinal recesses 35 and 36 and a lower pair of longitudinal recesses 37 and 38. Mounted in the upper pair of recesses 35 and 36 is a pair of channel strips 39 and 40 having longitudinally spaced openings, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9. Similarly mounted in longitudinal recesses 37 and 38 is a pair of channel strips 41 and 42, also provided with longitudinally spaced openings, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bulkhead unit 13 in its assembled operative condition includes an upper crossbeam member 43, a pair of transversely spaced channel-shaped members 44 and 45 rigidly secured to and depending from the crossbeam member 43, and a connecting member 46 rigidly interconnecting the channel-shaped members 44 and 45, and spaced below the crossbeam member 43. The bulkhead unit further includes an upper panel 47 disposed between the channelshaped members 44 and 45, and crossbeam member 43 and connecting member 46, a lower front panel 48 having a funnelfshaped recess 49, a spout assembly 50 pivotally connected to the lower ends of the channel-shaped members 44 and 45, which is adapted to be pivoted to a retracted position within the funnel-shaped recess 49 and detachable side panels 51 and 52. The crossbeam member 43 is provided with roller units 53 and 54 which are received in guide tracks 31 and 32 to permit the bulkhead unit 13 to be moved along the length of the in terior of the housing unit 12, thus providing a variable volume chamber 55 defined by bottom wall 21, top wall 24, sidewalls 22 and 23, and the bulkhead unit 13,

The recess 49 in the lower front panel 48 is defined by an upper horizontal wall section 55, a pair of transversely spaced, upper vertical sidewall sections 56 and 57, a pair of downwardly diverging wall sections 58 and 59, a pair of trans versely spaced, lower vertical sidewall sections 60 and 61, and a rear wall 62 which extends upwardly beyond the upper wall section 55 and is secured to the upper front panel 47. The spout unit 50 is adapted to be moved to an operative position, as best illustrated in FlGS. 3 and 8, and retracted into an inoperative position within the recess 49, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The spout unit 50 consists of a conduit section 63, having a valve 64, a pair of diverging sidewalls 65 and 66 secured at their forward ends to the conduit 63 and pivotally secured at their rear ends to the lower ends of the channelshaped members 44 and 45, as at 66 and 67, a top wall 68 and a bottom wall section 69. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the width of the spout unit 50 is no greater than the width of the recess 49, to permit the spout unit to be pivotally retracted into the recess 49, so that the wall section 69 of the spout unit 50 is disposed substantially flush with the lower front panel 48. The spout unit 50 is retained in the retracted position within the recess 49 by means of a retainer panel 70 detachably mounted on the upper front panel 47, which may be detachably secured across the recess 49, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The side panels 51 and 52 are substantially similar in construction. Referring to FIG. 3, when the bulkhead unit 13 is assembled in its operative condition, the side panel 52 is adapted to be disposed at an angle relative to the upper front panel 47 and is disposed between the channel-shaped member 45 and sidewall 23. The outer end of the side panel 52 is secured to the sidewall 23 by means of a pair of abutment members 71 and 72 provided with hooks for securing the abutment members on the channel strips 40 and 42, and spring members 73 and 74 secured to the side panel 52 and having hooks on the free ends thereof connectable to the channel strips 40 and 42, as best illustrated in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated, as shown in FIG. 9, when the abutment members 71 and 72 are secured to the channel strips 40 and 42 and the hook elements of spring members 73 and 74 also are secured to the channel strips, the outer portion of the side panel 52 will be urged into firm engagement with the rear surfaces of the abutment members. The inner portion of the side panel 52 is secured to the channel-shaped member 45 by means of a pair of latches 75 and 76 having sliding bolts received in aligned openings in the chan nel-shaped member 45, as best illustrated in FIG. 10. As previously indicated, the construction and the mounting of the side panel 51 is similar to the construction and mounting of the side panel 51 is similar to the construction and mounting of the side panel 52.

When the bulkhead unit 13 is in the inoperative condition as illustrated in FIG. 4, the side panels 51 and 52 are adapted to be reversed, positioned in transverse alignment, and secured to the channel-shaped members 44 and 45 and the sidewalls 22 and 23 of the housing unit. Referring to FIG. 4, the abutment members 71 and 72 are secured to brackets 77 and 78 provided on the inner side of the channel-shaped member 45, and the side panel 52 is positioned with the inner side overlying the front of the channel-shaped member 45. The side panel 52 is secured in position by latches 75 and 76 and a latch 79. The side panel 52 is provided with access openings 80 and 81 through which an operator may reachto move the slide bolts of latches 75 and 76 into registerable openings in the channel strips 40 and 42. The side panel 52 further has an access opening 82, providing access to an actuating linkage 83 which is adapted to be operated to manipulate a spring-biased sliding bolt in latch 79 into a registered opening provided in the crossbeam member 43.

The abutment members 84 and 85 associated with the side panel 51 similarly are adapted to be mounted on brackets 86 and 87, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The side panel 51 also is adapted to be mounted flush with the side panel 52 and the cover panel 70, with the inner portion thereof overlying the channel-shaped member 44. The side panel 51 is secured in the position as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 by means of latches 88 and 89, having sliding bolts received in the openings of channel strips 39 and 41, and latch 90 having a spring-biased sliding bolt received within a registered opening in the crossbeam member 43. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the side panel 51 is provided with access openings 91 and 92 to pemiit access to latches 88 and 89, and an access opening 93 which permits access to the actuating linkage 94 for the latch 90. Normally, the spout unit 50 is moved to the retracted position within the recess 49, the cover panel 70 is secured across the recess 49, and the side panels 51 and 52 are disposed in transverse alignment with the cover panel 70, when the bulkhead unit is moved to a storage position in the front end of the housing unit 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The flexible liner 14 is adapted to be expanded or contracted in the variable volume chamber 55. The flexible liner in its expanded condition, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, and 6 through 8, consists of a bottom section 95 adapted to lie along bottom wall 21, a top section 96 adapted to lie along the upper wall 24, side sections 97 and 98 lying along sidewalls 22 and 23, a front end section HN) adapted to lie along front end wall 25, and a rear end section 99 having an intermediate portion 101 and side angle portions 102 and 103 which are adapted tolie along the bulkhead unit 13. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3, and 6 through 8, the front end of the top liner section 96 is provided with a transversely disposed tunnel loop 105, and the rear end of the top liner section is provided with a tunnel loop 104. The tunnel loop 105 is adapted to receive therethrough an elongated hanger rod 106 which is rigidly secured to the crossbeam member 43 of the bulkhead unit, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The tunnel loop 104 similarly receives therethrough a hanger rod 107 which is mounted in a pair of brackets 108 and 109 rigidly secured to the upper front comers of the housing unit. The top liner section 96 further is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely disposed tunnel loops 110 which receive therethrough a plurality of hanger rods 111. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, each of the hanger rods 111 are provided with rollers 112 and 113 mounted on the ends thereof which are adapted to ride along guide tracks 33 and 34.

The side liner sections 97 and 98 are provided along the upper ends thereof with longitudinally spaced straps 114 and 115, respectively, which are connected to the ends of the hanger rods 111. The rear liner section 99 is provided with a pair of straps 116 and 117 which are connected to the hanger rod 106, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and the front ends of the side liner sections 97 and 98 are provided with straps 118 and 119 which are connected to a pair of depending hooks 120 and 121 which are rigidly secured to the top wall 24 of the housing unit. FIG. 12 best illustrates the strap 119 connected to the depending hook 121. It will be appreciated that the tunnel loops I04, 105 and 110 cooperate with the straps 114 through 119 to cause the upper portion of the flexible liner to conform to the shape of the upper portion of the chamber 55 when the flexible liner is in the full expanded condition, and to carry the weight of the liner.

The bottom portion of the flexible liner is caused to conform to the shape of the bottom portion of the chamber 55 by means of a first set of straps 122 secured to the bottom liner section 95 adjacent the sidewall 23 of the housing unit, an a second set of straps 123 secured to the bottom liner section 95 along the side wall 22 of the housing unit. The loop straps I22 are longitudinally spaced along the bottom liner section 95 and are connected to hook elements 124 which are rigidly secured to the bottom wall 21 of the housing unit adjacent the sidewall 23 of the housing unit, by means of loop straps 125. Similarly, the straps 123 are longitudinally spaced'along the side edge of the bottom liner section 95 and are connected to a plurality of hook elements 126 secured to the bottom wall 21 of the housing unit adjacent the sidewall 22, by means of a plurality of loop straps 127. It will be noted that the bottom liner section 95 can easily be positioned to overlie the bottom wall 21 of the housing unit, merely by pulling the connecting straps 125 and 127 and securing them on the hook elements 124 and 126.

The lower front comers of the flexible liner are retained adjacent the lower front comers of chamber 55 by means of a retaining assembly'128, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 13. The retaining assembly includes a pair of mounting fixtures 129 and 130, a retainer rod 131, and a pair of L-shaped retaining pins 132 and .133. Mounting fixtures 129 and 130 are rigidly secured to bottom wall 21 of the housing unit, and are substantially similar in construction. Mounting fixture 129 is secured to bottom wall 21 adjacent front end wall and sidewall 22. Mounting fixture is secured to bottom wall 21 adjacent front end wall 25 and the sidewall 23. The mounting fixture 129 includes a mounting plate section 134 secured to bottom wall 21 and a tubular section 135 rigidly secured to mounting plate section 134 with the outer end thereof spaced from sidewall 22, and the front side thereof being spaced parallel from front end wall 25. Similarly, m'ounting fixture 130 includes a mounting plate section 136 secured to bottom wall 21 and a tubular section 137 which also hasthe end portiori thereof spaced from sidewall 23 and the front side thereof spaced parallel to front end wall 25. Tubular sections 135 and 137 are axially aligned to receive connecting rod 123 therethrough. The connecting rod extends through a tunnel loop 138 which is rigidly secured to the forward edge of bottom liner section 95. Tunnel loop 138 functions to maintain the lower front edge of the flexible liner adjacent the lower front corner of chamber 55.

The L-shaped retainer pin 132 is provided with a horizontal leg portion 139 which extends through the tubular section 135 into the connecting rod 131 and a vertical portion 140 which extends through a slot 141 and is received through a strap 142 rigidly secured to the lower front end of the side liner section 98. Retainer pin 133 similarly is connected to mounting fixture 130 and is received through a strap 143 mounted on the lower front end of side liner section 97. It will be appreciated that straps 142 and 143 retain the side liner sections 98 and 97 adjacent the lower front comers of chamber 55.

The L-shaped retainer pm 132 is provided with a horizontal leg portion 139 which extends through the tubular section 135 into the connecting rod 131 and a vertical portion 140 which extends through a slot 141 and is received through a strap 142 rigidly secured to the'lower front end of the side liner section 98. lRetainer pin 133 similarly is connected to mounting fixture I30 and is received through a strap143 mounted on the lower front end of side liner section 97. It will be appreciated that straps 142 and 143 retain the side liner sections 98 and 97 adjacent the lower front cornersof chamber 55.

Rear endliner section 100 is secured to the bulkhead unit by means of tunnelloop 104'mounted on hanger rod 106 and a second tunnel loop 144 which is connected to a transversely disposed hanger rod 145 mounted on'rear wall 62 of the bulkhead unit, The lower rear end of the flexible liner is provided with a flexible spout 146 which extends into and is secured to rigid spout unit 50. As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, flexible spout 146 includes a top flexible section 147, a bottom flexible section 148, and converging side sections 149 and 150. The front ends of the spout sections include tunnel loops 151, 152, 153 and 154 which extend through slots in spout unit 50,- as best illustrated in FIG. 3. The flexible'spout 146 is retained within the rigid spout unit 50 by means of a retainer band 155 which passes through tunnel loops 151 through 154.

Top flexible section 96 further is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced flexible conduit sections 156 which are registerable with and adapted to extend into annular mountings 29 when the flexible liner is in its expanded condition, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Each of the conduits is provided with an opening in the upper end thereof, which may be closed with the interlocking fastener of zipper 157.

When the container is used to transport other than bulk materials, bulkhead unit 13 is moved toward the front end of the housing unit to collapse flexible liner I4 and retain it against front end wall 24, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In such inoperative condition, spout unit 50 is positioned in recess 49,

cover panel 70 is mounted across the retracted spout unit, and side panels 51 and 52 are mounted flush with cover panel 70,

i as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The bulkhead unit is retained in such position by sliding bolt latches 75, 76, 88, and 89, which engage channel strips 39, 40, 41, and 42.

When it is desired to load the container with a bulk material, latches 75, 76, 88 and 89 are disengaged from the channel strips and the bulkhead'unit is moved rearwardly to expand the flexible liner to the operative condition, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-through 8. When the bulkhead unit is moved sufficiently' rearwardly to expand the flexible liner, it is secured in position by means of slide bolts'l58 and 159 mounted on the lower ends of channel-shaped members 44 and of the bulkhead unit, which are received in retaining holes in bottom wall 21 of the housing unit, as best illustrated in FIG. 3. The flexible liner is then fully expanded by connecting each of connecting straps 125. to hook elements 124 and connecting each of connecting straps 127 to hook elements 126. Under such conditions, the flexible liner is fully expanded and conforms to the configuration of chamber 557 It will be noted that tunnel loops I10 maintain top liner section 96 adjacent top wall 24, straps 114 and 125 maintain side liner section 97 adjacent sidewall 23, straps 115 and 127 maintain side liner section 98 adjacent sidewall 22, tunnel loops 107 and 138 maintain front liner section 99 adjacent front wall 24, and tunnel loops 104 and 144 maintain rear liner section adjacent bulkhead unit 13. The straps 142, 143, 118 and 119 further assist in maintaining the front comer portion of the flexible liner adjacent the from upper and lower comers of chamber 55.

With the flexible liner fully expanded as described, side panels 51 and 52 are remounted' on the bulkhead unit, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Side panel 52 is secured in the operative position by mounting abutment members 71 and 72 in channel strips 40 and 42, positioning side panel 52 at an angle relative abutmentmembers 71 and 72, fastening the inner end of the panel to channel-shaped member 45 by sliding the bolts of latches 75 and 76 into the registerable openings in the channel-shaped member, and then pulling spring members 73 and 74 rearwardly and securing the hook ends thereof to channel strips 40 and 42 to urge the outer portion of side panel 52 into firm engagement with abutment members 71 and 72. Side panel 51 is secured in position in a similar manner. Cover panel 71 is then removed from across recess 49.and mounted on the upperend of the bulkhead unit. The rigid spout unit 50 then may be pivoted downwardly out of recess 49 to its operative position, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The flexible inlet conduits 156 of the liner will register with annular mountings 29 when the liner is in the expanded condition. Theliner then may beloaded with a bulk material merely by lifting cover members 20 to an open position, pulling the flexible conduits upwardly through the annular mountings, unzipping fasteners 157 and inserting a charging conduit 158 through the flexible conduits to charge bulk material into the interior of the flexible liner. When the liner is fully loaded, the charging conduit'is removed, the flexible conduits are closed and folded into the annular mountings, and the covers are closed. The container is then in condition for transporting the bulk material to its ultimate destination.

Upon arrival at its destination, the container is positioned on tiltable platform 18 of unloading unit 11. The chassis is then rigidly secured to platform 18, and hydraulic cylinder assembly 20 is actuated to tilt platfonn 18 and the entire container. Conduit section 63 of spout unit 50 may be connected to a suitable pneumatic conveying system and the bulk matcrial in the flexible liner will be discharged by gravity flow through the spout unit when the valve 64 is opened. As the container is tilted rearwardly to discharge the bulk material, liner portions 102 and 103 engage side panels 51 and 52 which act as baffles, directing the material toward the flexible spout 146. During the unloading procedure, the cover members 30 are secured in the closed position and air is permitted to enter the interior of the flexible liner by means of an air intake conduit 159 intercommunicating the interior of the flexible liner with the exterior, and having a one-way valve 160.

As soon as the bulk material has been unloaded, conduit section 63 is disconnected from the pneumatic conveying system and the hydraulic cylinder assembly is actuated to lower platform 18 to the horizontal position. The spout unit 50 is then pivoted upwardly into recess 49 and cover panel 70 is secured across recess 49 to retain spout unit 50 in the retracted position. Side panels 51 and 52 are then removed from the bulkhead unit, and latches 158 and 159 are disconnected to free the bulkhead unit. The bulkhead unit is then in a condition to be rolled forwardly to collapse the flexible liner and secure it against front wall 25. Connecting straps 125 and 127 are then disconnected from hook elements 124 and 126 to permit the flexible liner to collapse as the bulkhead unit is moved forwardly.

The folding of the flexible liner is facilitated by a plurality of liner draw line assemblies 163 mounted on the ends of hanger rods 11!. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each draw liner assembly 163 includes a pulley unit 164 secured to the end of hanger rod 111, and a draw line 165 having the lower end thereof secured to strap 122 and the upper end thereof reeved about the sheave in the pulley unit 164. It will be appreciated that the free end of the line 165 may be drawn to lift strap 122 and the adjoining liner portion adjacent pulley unit 164. The liner portion then may be retained in the drawn position by securing connecting strap 125 to a hook element 166 provided on pulley unit 164. With spaced lower portions of the flexible liner drawn up by draw line assemblies 163, the bulkhead unit may be moved forwardly toward front wall to collapse the liner and fold it against front wall 25. When the liner is fully collapsed and folded and the bulkhead unit is disposed in its foremost position in the housing unit, as illustrated in FIG. 1, side panels 51 and 52 are remounted on the bulkhead unit to secure the bulkhead unit to sidewalls 22 and 23 of the housing unit by means of latch units 75, 76, 88 and 89. The container then is in a condition to be loaded with other forms of cargo.

We claim:

1. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising a rigid enclosure means, rigid, closed partition means disposed in said rigid enclosure means, said partition means being movable along a length of said enclosure means to provide a closed variable volume chamber, a flexible enclosure means disposed in said variable volume chamber, said partition means having discharge means and said flexible enclosure means having outlet means communicating with the discharge means of said partition means.

2. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said rigid enclosure means is mobile.

3. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible enclosure means.

4. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said flexible enclosure means is secured to said partition means for movement therewith.

5. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, including means for selectively securing said partition means to said rigid enclosure means at a selected location along the length of said rigid enclosure means.

6. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible enclosure means for directing bulk material in said flexible enclosure means toward the outlet means thereof when said rigid enclosure means is tilted toward said discharge means.

7. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said discharge means comprises a spout.

8. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 7, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means.

9. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said flexible enclosure means includes means for detachably securing said flexible enclosure means coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid enclosure means. J

10. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said rigid enclosure means is mobile, said enclosure means have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible enclosure means; a portion of said flexible enclosure means is secured to said partition means for movement therewith, said discharge means comprises a spout pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means, and said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible enclosure means for directing bulk material in said flexible enclosure means toward the outlet means thereof and said spout when said rigid enclosure means is tilted toward said spout.

11. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising an elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open rear end, guide means disposed along the length of said housing means a rigid, closed bulkhead unit movable along said guide means within said housing means to provide a closed variable volume chamber, said bulkhead unit having a spout mounted thereon for discharging material through the open end of said housing unit, and a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber defined by said housing means and said bulkhead unit, said flexible liner having an outlet opening communicating with said spout.

12. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11 wherein said rigid housing means is mobile.

13. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said rigid housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner.

14. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein a portion of said flexible liner is secured to said bulkhead unit for movement therewith.

15. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, including means for selectively securing said bulkhead unit to said rigid housing means at a selected location along the length of said rigid housing means.

16. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said bulkhead unit includes baffle means engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward the spout.

17. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said bulkhead unit.

18. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surface of said r'gid housing means.

19. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile, said rigid housing means and said flexible liner have access 9 openings. for-charging bulk material into-said flexible liner, said flexible liner is secured to said bulkhead unit for movement therewith, said bulkhead unit includes baffle panels engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said spout, said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible enclosure means coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid housing means, said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said bulkhead unit, and including means for securing said bulkhead unit tosaid rigid housing means at selected location along the length of said rigid enclosure means.

20. A container for transporting bulk materials accordingto claim ll, -wherein said guide means comprise a pair of trans movable longitudinally along the length thereof to provide a closed variable volume chamber, said partition means having discharge means, longitudinally disposed guide means mounted in said variable volume chamber, a plurality of rigid support means operatively connected to said guide means for movement along the length thereof, a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber, said flexible liner being connected along the length thereof to said rigid support means, said flexible liner having the front end thereof secured to said housing means at the front end thereof and the rear end thereof secured to said partition means whereby the volume of said flexible liner may be varied by moving said partition means longitudinally in said housing means, and said flexible liner is provided with outlet means communicating with said discharge means.

22. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said housing means is mobile.

23. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner.

24. A container for transporting BULK MATERIALS AC- CORDING TO CLAIM INCLUDING MEANS for securing SAID PARTITION MEANS TO SAID RIGID HOUSING MEANS AT A SELECT ED LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID RIGID HOUSING means.

25. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said discharge means of said partition means.

26. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said discharge means comprisesa spout.

27. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 26, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means.

28. A container fortransporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surfaces of said rigid housing means 29. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile, said housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner, said discharge means comprises a spout pivotally retractable into a'recess in said partition means, said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid housing means, said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the out- 1 let means thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said spout, and including means for securing said partition means to said rigid housing means at a selected location along the length of said rigid housing means.

30. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said guide means comprises longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks, and said support means comprise transversely disposed hanger members supported in said guide tracks for movement along the lengths thereof.

31. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising an elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open rear end, first guide means disposed along the length of said housing means, a rigid, closed bulkhead unit movable along said first guide means within said housing means to provide a variable volume chamber, said bulkhead unit having a closed spout mounted thereon for discharging material through the open endof said housing means, second guide means'mounted in said housing means, a plurality of rigid support means operatively connected to said second guide means for movement along the length thereof, a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber, said flexible liner being connected along the length thereof to said support means, said flexible liner being connected at the front end' thereof to the front end of said housing means and being connected at the rear end thereof to said bulkhead unit whereby said bulkhead unit may be moved longitudinally along said first guide means to vary the volume of said variable volume chamber and said flexible liner will be extended along the length of said variable volume chamber, and said flexible liner having outlet means communicating with said spout.

32. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 31, wherein said first guide means comprises longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks on which said bulkhead unit is supported, said second guide means comprises longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks and said support means comprise transversely disposed hanger members supported on said second set of guide tracks for movement along the lengths thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 y 578 213 Dated May 11 l 971 Edwin E. Clarke et a1 Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9, lines 43 through 47, claim 24 should read:

24* A container for transporting bulk materials according to Claim 21, including means for securing said partition means to said rigid housing means at a selected location along the length of said rigid housing means.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of October 1972.

(STEAL) Attostt ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 n u s cuvznuuzm PRINTING OFFICE Ian oqu-su. 

1. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising a rigid enclosure means, rigid, closed partition means disposed in said rigid enclosure means, said partition means being movable along a length of said enclosure means to provide a closed variable volume chamber, a flexible enclosure means disposed in said variable volume chamber, said partition means having discharge means and said flexible enclosure means having outlet means communicating with the discharge means of said partition means.
 2. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said rigid enclosure means is mobile.
 3. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure means have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible enclosure means.
 4. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said flexible enclosure means is secured to said partition means for movement therewith.
 5. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, including means for selectively securing said partition means to said rigid enclosure means at a selected location along the length of said rigid enclosure means.
 6. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible enclosure means for directing bulk material in said flexible enclosure means toward the outlet means thereof when said rigid enclosure means is tilted toward said discharge means.
 7. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said discharge means comprises a spout.
 8. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 7, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means.
 9. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said flexible enclosure meanS includes means for detachably securing said flexible enclosure means coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid enclosure means.
 10. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 1, wherein said rigid enclosure means is mobile, said enclosure means have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible enclosure means; a portion of said flexible enclosure means is secured to said partition means for movement therewith, said discharge means comprises a spout pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means, and said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible enclosure means for directing bulk material in said flexible enclosure means toward the outlet means thereof and said spout when said rigid enclosure means is tilted toward said spout.
 11. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising an elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open rear end, guide means disposed along the length of said housing means a rigid, closed bulkhead unit movable along said guide means within said housing means to provide a closed variable volume chamber, said bulkhead unit having a spout mounted thereon for discharging material through the open end of said housing unit, and a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber defined by said housing means and said bulkhead unit, said flexible liner having an outlet opening communicating with said spout.
 12. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile.
 13. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said rigid housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner.
 14. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein a portion of said flexible liner is secured to said bulkhead unit for movement therewith.
 15. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, including means for selectively securing said bulkhead unit to said rigid housing means at a selected location along the length of said rigid housing means.
 16. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said bulkhead unit includes baffle means engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward the spout.
 17. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said bulkhead unit.
 18. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid housing means.
 19. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile, said rigid housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner, said flexible liner is secured to said bulkhead unit for movement therewith, said bulkhead unit includes baffle panels engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said spout, said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible enclosure means coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid housing means, said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said bulkhead unit, and including means for securing said bulkhead unit to said rigid housing means at selected location along the length of said rigid enclosure means.
 20. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 11, wherein said guide means comprise a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed guide tracks and said bulkhead unit includes roller means supported on said guide traCks for movement along the lengths thereof.
 21. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising means at the front end thereof and rigid housing means having a closed end and a longitudinally spaced open rear end, rigid, closed partition means disposable in said housing means and movable longitudinally along the length thereof to provide a closed variable volume chamber, said partition means having discharge means, longitudinally disposed guide means mounted in said variable volume chamber, a plurality of rigid support means operatively connected to said guide means for movement along the length thereof, a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber, said flexible liner being connected along the length thereof to said rigid support means, said flexible liner having the front end thereof secured to said housing means at the front end thereof and the rear end thereof secured to said partition means whereby the volume of said flexible liner may be varied by moving said partition means longitudinally in said housing means, and said flexible liner is provided with outlet means communicating with said discharge means.
 22. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said housing means is mobile.
 23. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner.
 24. A container for transporting BULK MATERIALS ACCORDING TO CLAIM @-, INCLUDING MEANS for securing SAID PARTITION MEANS TO SAID RIGID HOUSING MEANS AT A SELECTED LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID RIGID HOUSING means.
 25. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet opening thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said discharge means of said partition means.
 26. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said discharge means comprises a spout.
 27. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 26, wherein said spout is pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means.
 28. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surfaces of said rigid housing means
 29. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said rigid housing means is mobile, said housing means and said flexible liner have access openings for charging bulk material into said flexible liner, said discharge means comprises a spout pivotally retractable into a recess in said partition means, said flexible liner includes means for detachably securing said flexible liner coextensively with the inner wall surface of said rigid housing means, said partition means includes baffle means engageable by said flexible liner for directing bulk material in said flexible liner toward the outlet means thereof when said rigid housing means is tilted toward said spout, and including means for securing said partition means to said rigid housing means at a selected location along the length of said rigid housing means.
 30. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 21, wherein said guide means comprises longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks, and said support means comprise transversely disposed hanger members supported in said guide tracks for movement along the lengths thereof.
 31. A container for transporting bulk materials comprising an elongated rigid housing means having a closed front end and an open rear end, first guide means disposed along the length of said housing means, a rigid, closed bulkhead unit movable along said first guide means within said housing means to provide a variable volume chamber, said bulkHead unit having a closed spout mounted thereon for discharging material through the open end of said housing means, second guide means mounted in said housing means, a plurality of rigid support means operatively connected to said second guide means for movement along the length thereof, a flexible liner disposed in said variable volume chamber, said flexible liner being connected along the length thereof to said support means, said flexible liner being connected at the front end thereof to the front end of said housing means and being connected at the rear end thereof to said bulkhead unit whereby said bulkhead unit may be moved longitudinally along said first guide means to vary the volume of said variable volume chamber and said flexible liner will be extended along the length of said variable volume chamber, and said flexible liner having outlet means communicating with said spout.
 32. A container for transporting bulk materials according to claim 31, wherein said first guide means comprises longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks on which said bulkhead unit is supported, said second guide means comprises longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guide tracks and said support means comprise transversely disposed hanger members supported on said second set of guide tracks for movement along the lengths thereof. 